Written by Heather

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?

Last updated Thursday 14 March 2019

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If you’re looking to add more space to your home, a conservatory is not only an effective option, but a budget friendly one too.

Typically cheaper than a classic rear extension, conservatories have been a popular way for Brits to extend for decades. Yet, though we all know a conservatory when we see one, the process of creating them can be unclear.

To know the full extent of your conservatory options, here’s everything you'll need for the nitty gritty of planning…

However, in order to qualify for permitted development, your conservatory will have to follow a strict set requirements.

Which part of your property are you looking to extend or renovate?

Select an option below to get a quick quote for our services

Ground

Side Infill

Side

Side And Rear

Rear

Wraparound

First

Rear Over Outrigger

Rear Over Ground Floor

Side

Side And Rear

Rear

Loft

L Shaped Dormer

Outrigger Dormer

Main Dormer

Hip To Gable With No Dormer

Hip To Gable With Main Dormer

Basement

Main House

Outrigger

Part House

Whole House

Two Storey

Side

Rear

Garden

Annex

Rules to permitted development rights

In order to avoid a full planning application, you’ll need to ensure your conservatory…

Doesn’t extend beyond the rear of the existing house by more than 4 metres, if your home is detached, and 3 metres, if you live in a terrace, or semi-detached property.

Takes up less than 50% of the size of the land around the original house ("original" being the latest of when the property was built or if it was built before 1948, then as it stood on 1st July 1948).

Is single-storey, with a maximum height of 4m.

Has a roof ridge or top point no higher than the eaves of your property’s roof.

On top of this, you’ll need to bear in mind that permitted development rights can’t be used on these households...

Flats and maisonettes

Listed buildings

Homes in conservation areas

If you plan on adding a conservatory onto a new build, you’ll also need to check with your developer to make sure there are no restrictions within your contract for such an addition.

Lawful development certificate

A lawful development certificate isn’t a legal requirement, but incredibly useful for anyone using their permitted development rights.

This certificate essentially proves to both your local authority, and future buyers, that your home project was legal at the point of construction. This protects you in the event the rules around permitted development rights change, and is particularly worthwhile in politically charged pieces of land, such as the green belt.

A lawful development certificate is applied for in the much the same way as planning permission.

You’ll need…

An application form

Evidence verifying the information within the application.

This would include architectural plans and elevations

A site location plan

A fee

You’ll also need to strap yourself for a wait, as approval will typically take 8 weeks to be delivered. However, unlike planning permission, as long as your project ticks the right boxes, you should be fine.

Applying for planning permission

Though planning permission has a scary reputation, having a good architect by your side can help take away much of the stress. You’ll need all the documentation required for a lawful development certificate, including architectural drawings. The main difference between planning permission and a lawful development application is that planning permission tends to be more subjective, with some areas having a harder time of getting approval than others. For this reason, you'll want an expert by your side who has extensive experience of the process.

At Resi, we not only put together these drawings, we package everything up, ready for submission. Our in-house planning officers will then manage the application on your behalf, ensuring you have the best chance of first time approval.

Our planning team have helped over 600 homeowners secure planning permission across the UK. When you're choosing your own architect, make sure they have enough experience to get your project through the planning door!

Building regulations

These are a separate issue to planning, and concern the technical details of your home. You’re legally required to demonstrate, before construction, how your project will create a safe and healthy environment for both your family and those around you. To do this you’ll need to enlist several professionals to make specialist calculations, and to have this work set out into technical drawings - an architect can prepare this for you. This is then approved by either your local building control, or be an approved inspector.

However, you will be exempt from this process if your conservatory…

Is made up of 80% or more translucent roof

Has its own independent heating system

Is no less than 1m away from any boundary

Built only at ground level

Measures less than 30sqm in size

Isn’t part of an open-plan layout, but is a self contained room

On this last point, please be aware that any removal of exterior doors or walls always requires building regulations approval.

Share:

If you’re looking to add more space to your home, a conservatory is not only an effective option, but a budget friendly one too.

Typically cheaper than a classic rear extension, conservatories have been a popular way for Brits to extend for decades. Yet, though we all know a conservatory when we see one, the process of creating them can be unclear.

To know the full extent of your conservatory options, here’s everything you'll need for the nitty gritty of planning…

However, in order to qualify for permitted development, your conservatory will have to follow a strict set requirements.

Which part of your property are you looking to extend or renovate?

Select an option below to get a quick quote for our services

Ground

Side Infill

Side

Side And Rear

Rear

Wraparound

First

Rear Over Outrigger

Rear Over Ground Floor

Side

Side And Rear

Rear

Loft

L Shaped Dormer

Outrigger Dormer

Main Dormer

Hip To Gable With No Dormer

Hip To Gable With Main Dormer

Basement

Main House

Outrigger

Part House

Whole House

Two Storey

Side

Rear

Garden

Annex

Rules to permitted development rights

In order to avoid a full planning application, you’ll need to ensure your conservatory…

Doesn’t extend beyond the rear of the existing house by more than 4 metres, if your home is detached, and 3 metres, if you live in a terrace, or semi-detached property.

Takes up less than 50% of the size of the land around the original house ("original" being the latest of when the property was built or if it was built before 1948, then as it stood on 1st July 1948).

Is single-storey, with a maximum height of 4m.

Has a roof ridge or top point no higher than the eaves of your property’s roof.

On top of this, you’ll need to bear in mind that permitted development rights can’t be used on these households...

Flats and maisonettes

Listed buildings

Homes in conservation areas

If you plan on adding a conservatory onto a new build, you’ll also need to check with your developer to make sure there are no restrictions within your contract for such an addition.

Lawful development certificate

A lawful development certificate isn’t a legal requirement, but incredibly useful for anyone using their permitted development rights.

This certificate essentially proves to both your local authority, and future buyers, that your home project was legal at the point of construction. This protects you in the event the rules around permitted development rights change, and is particularly worthwhile in politically charged pieces of land, such as the green belt.

A lawful development certificate is applied for in the much the same way as planning permission.

You’ll need…

An application form

Evidence verifying the information within the application.

This would include architectural plans and elevations

A site location plan

A fee

You’ll also need to strap yourself for a wait, as approval will typically take 8 weeks to be delivered. However, unlike planning permission, as long as your project ticks the right boxes, you should be fine.

Applying for planning permission

Though planning permission has a scary reputation, having a good architect by your side can help take away much of the stress. You’ll need all the documentation required for a lawful development certificate, including architectural drawings. The main difference between planning permission and a lawful development application is that planning permission tends to be more subjective, with some areas having a harder time of getting approval than others. For this reason, you'll want an expert by your side who has extensive experience of the process.

At Resi, we not only put together these drawings, we package everything up, ready for submission. Our in-house planning officers will then manage the application on your behalf, ensuring you have the best chance of first time approval.

Our planning team have helped over 600 homeowners secure planning permission across the UK. When you're choosing your own architect, make sure they have enough experience to get your project through the planning door!

Building regulations

These are a separate issue to planning, and concern the technical details of your home. You’re legally required to demonstrate, before construction, how your project will create a safe and healthy environment for both your family and those around you. To do this you’ll need to enlist several professionals to make specialist calculations, and to have this work set out into technical drawings - an architect can prepare this for you. This is then approved by either your local building control, or be an approved inspector.

However, you will be exempt from this process if your conservatory…

Is made up of 80% or more translucent roof

Has its own independent heating system

Is no less than 1m away from any boundary

Built only at ground level

Measures less than 30sqm in size

Isn’t part of an open-plan layout, but is a self contained room

On this last point, please be aware that any removal of exterior doors or walls always requires building regulations approval.